The hire comes at a time when the city has been heavily criticized and is under investigation for dumping thousands of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into the bay.

ST. PETERSBURG – Officials have hired a public works spokesman in what they said is a “continuing effort to ‘put the public’ back in Public Works.'”

Bill Logan, who started the job last week was officially introduced to the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday (Dec. 1).

“He will be a great addition to our staff,” Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley said. “Bill will help us streamline and focus our communications – both internally and externally.”

Logan is no stranger to the Tampa Bay community, coming to the newly-created role after more than a dozen years of weather forecasting and reporting at WFTS-TV in Tampa.  He has also worked as a reporter and anchor at local television stations WTSP, WTOG and WTVT as well as WFLA Radio during three decades in broadcasting. Logan also worked in media relations at Walt Disney World.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to highlight the important work being done to keep this community moving forward,” Logan said. “I enjoy taking complex issues and making them more understandable.”

With an office in City Hall, Logan will work closely with Tankersley and each of the departments within Public Works, including Engineering, Water Resources, Stormwater, Pavement and Traffic Operations, and Fleet Management. He will make $90,000 a year.

“I love being able to tell positive stories,” said Logan. “We have some great stories here to tell.”

Logan’s appointment comes at a time when St. Petersburg has been under fire and under investigation for dumping thousands of gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into the bay during two tropical storms this year.

The new Public Works Communications Manager can be reached — effective immediately — at Bill.Logan@stpete.org or (727) 893-7250.  A Public Works Twitter feed has been started @StPetePW.

For information about St. Petersburg, go to stpete.org.

Photo of Bill Logan at St. Petersburg City Council meeting courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Public Works | Bill Logan | Claude Tankersley | TB Reporter

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